The Hands of the Sisters
My Enemy is Dead
Draco did not owl me again. He'd obviously received my warning about our post. The lack of word from him was a chasm in my chest. Yule came and went without him. Death Eaters came and went as well. In January, I saw Severus for the first time in months.
He'd arrived late for a meeting. I would not have known he was in my house had I not heard his voice as I passed the dining hall. He was speaking to the Dark Lord, but I heard Bella interrupt him rudely several times. I ducked into a shadowed alcove near the archway to await his departure and hopefully catch him alone. I longed for word of Draco.
There were others inside. They spoke in hushed tones with a building intensity. Bella shouted at Greyback and the Dark Lord chastised them both in a hiss. I recognized his tone of dismissal, having received it a few times, myself. Tensing in the alcove, I held my breath as my sister breezed past, laughing boisterously on the arm of Yaxley.
Then Greyback appeared. He stopped before me, sniffing the air. Shite. I saw his sickening, lecherous grin spread as he turned slowly to face me. A chuckle akin to a growl emerged from his chest.
"The pretty mistress," he purred. "Alone at last, are we? With no dragon cub to defend you?" His arm stretched into the alcove and my belly collapsed inward to avoid it. I slipped my wand from my quilted cotton sleeve. "Come out, come out wherever you are," he taunted.
Fine. I lunged underneath his arm and out of hiding, wand at ready in dueling stance. "Go on, you fetid cur," I spat. "I'll not trouble myself with stepping over your corpse. You'd dare to touch me in my own house?"
The wolf laughed lowly. "I cannot resist the taste of pure blood, Mrs. Malfoy." He stressed the 'Mrs.' and pulled his own gnarled wand. "And you make a particularly pretty platter."
"Fenrir. Mind your manners."
Greyback turned. Severus loomed behind him. "Snape. I thought you'd left."
Severus' black eyes ironically ate the wolf. "It would appear I have not. Do you intend to duel the mistress of this house under the watchful eyes of your Lord and Master who respects her? Under the watchful eyes of her sister?" He leaned toward Greyback menacingly. "Under my own watchful eyes?"
Fenrir chuffed and slipped his wand back into his rancid cloak. "I only meant to tease the witch."
Severus cocked his head. "Out," he said, as though commanding a dog.
Greyback slinked away, giving me one backward glare. I watched him cautiously, lowering my wand but not stowing it.
"He wouldn't dare hurt you," Severus said. I turned to him. "He fears Bella. Or nearly any of us. He knows he's on the Dark Lord's lowest rung."
I nodded. "Thank you just the same, Severus." This time, I slipped my wand back into hiding. "I didn't relish the thought of having to duel the odious beast."
Severus quirked a wry grin, very brief but almost charming. "I've something for you."
I blinked. "For me?"
He reached into his robe and extracted a palm-sized box. "From Draco," he said. He checked our surroundings briskly and gestured for me to walk with him. He passed me the parcel on the stairs. My hand shook as I took it. "He told me of your last missive and knew he would be unable to safely contact you by post. I assured him I would deliver his message and the gift."
My throat threatened to close. "Thank you, Severus."
We hit the first floor landing. "It is no trouble." He glanced about again, faultlessly paranoid. "I know you must worry. Try not to. The boy is frustratingly determined to complete his task independently, but I am just as determined to honor our vow. I must return to Hogwarts – for that very reason. He wanders the corridors at night."
I swallowed, catching hold of his arm as he turned. "Severus!"
"Yes?"
Unthinking, I flung my arms about his neck. "Thank you. For everything, I thank you."
Awkwardly, one of his long hands fell upon my lower back. The other wrapped around one of my arms, as if afraid I would tighten my hold. Sensing his discomfort, I pulled away swiftly. He looked gobsmacked. I tried to smile at him.
"Well, well, well." It was Bella. I whirled to see her staring down at us from the second floor landing. She leaned against the wall with the tip of her wand touching her mouth. "Cozy, aren't we?"
"Bella," I growled.
Severus' hand on my elbow silenced me. "As I said, I must go, Narcissa." His voice lowered. "I return in one week if you should have a message for your son." I gave him no reply. His robes surged out like great crows' wings and snapped at his ankles when he hurried through the manor's heavy doors.
I turned back to my sister to find her standing right behind me. "How dare you," I hissed. "You know what Severus and I speak of. He deserves my gratitude, not to be disrespected in my house."
"I wondered which of us inherited mother's harlot trait. I see it was you, Cissy." I pushed past her. "Do you always spread for just any bit of trashblood? I don't suppose I should feel special!"
Fuck her. I ignored her, hurried to my room and warded myself in. Safe at my desk, I pulled Draco's box from the folds of my frock coat and carefully tugged at the twine. The parchment wrapping itself was a letter in my son's elegant hand.
Mother – I missed you this holiday. I missed home and our Yule log, the spiced cider and pudding. But I did manage to do a bit of shopping, and Professor Snape has assured me my gift will find you. Wear it well, and know I think of you often. Your son – Draco
I felt the tingle and pulled my wand. "Praesto." The silver secret unfolded between Draco's fine ink.
I dream of you. Lusty currents I can't control. I miss your body, mother. I miss your breasts and your belly when it meets mine. I miss the taste of you – your mouth and between your thighs. I miss the sounds that come from that sinful mouth – the things you say when we cast silencing charms. I miss when you forget I'm your son or that you're my mother – when you thrust your hands into my hair while I thrust my cock into your cunt. I miss your tight, your heat, the wet of you. I miss when we're rough and when we're tender. I miss after, too – when you hold me and I can hear your heart right beneath my ear, beating quick and slowing. I miss waking with an arm over your chest, your nipples hardening in my elbow, and the softness of your morning voice. I miss your cooking and your humming, the way you tuck your feet when you read. I miss my mother and my lover. If I never touch you, hold you, kiss you, fuck you again, know I was alive then and only then because I feel dead inside now. I love you unforgivably. If this doesn't find you, I'll kill Snape in his sleep. Yours alone – Draco
"Gods above," I murmured to myself. How was I to respond to that? I lifted the lid off the thin, square box. Nestled in a tuft of fluff was a delicate silver bracelet. I lifted it with a sad smile. No – too long. An anklet? I fingered it. The chain was thin, but strong. It shone brightly. Dangling from it almost unnoticeably was a tiny but detailed dragon.
I didn't stop the tears. I let them come swift and hard, let them run out. Collecting myself, I bent to secure the jewelry around my ankle. It fit perfectly, falling in such a way it could be secured inside a boot if necessary. I knew whey he'd chosen this piece, beyond the symbolic beast. It could be hidden – like us. I would never remove it.
Days passed before I was able to respond to Draco's letter. I blushed and flushed like an errant schoolgirl when I read it – and I read it several times. But Draco knew as well as anyone else (if not better) that I was a quiet, private woman. He had to know such an expression of blatant sexual feeling would challenge me. But at once, it excited me. I felt giddy at the thought of being the object of his desires.
It was silly and fatuous. He made me feel like a young thing again. Or perhaps his words simply took me away from my desperation for a time, let me have something besides fear. I wanted to do the same for him, offer him that solace and escape.
The evening before Severus' next visit, I wrote to my son. In plain bat's blood ink, I told him I forgave him for missing our holidays, that all was well at home. I wished him luck in his exams and promised him his favorite meals if he came home for spring holidays. But in our secret spell-speak, I told him this:
I have been maiden in my youth, and that youth seemed long gone. I became mother some 17 years ago, and now even that feels long gone. The last cycle of my witch's triptych is to become crone. And I resigned myself to that path in recent times, deciding if I survived the coming darkness I would do so as an old hag. But suddenly, unexpectedly, you came. You had always been there, I suppose, but not as the tripping goatherd moonchild who kissed away my tears and tendered me like a fawn in his arms. You, young dragon, breathed fire into my frigid frame again. You stroked an ember to a flame again. I have asked the goddess unceasingly why – why you? Why my son? The fruit of my loins, a prohibited pleasure. She sends me only torturous dreams of you in answer and so I have stopped. I accept defeat. What will come of us? I know not. I ask not. Only that when it comes, you are beside me. And if we never touch, hold, kiss or yes, fuck (as you are so irreverently fond of saying) each other again, know this. That you resurrected a maiden with your mind, mouth and body. That your fingers grip my memory. That I taste you in my tears. Whether we are destroyed or destruction, so mote it be. I love you – as a son and as a growing god. I ache to have you soon. And I am with you in your trials. Your Narcissa
The eve of the next Death Eater meeting I was nervous. I had slipped my letter into a potion bottle, as I had no pretense of gift-giving. I imagined a potion bottle on Severus' person would cause no question. I ate in the dining room with my sister. The Dark Lord was present, but as I'd been more sociable of late, I raised little suspicion with my attendance.
Bella was sullen over dinner. She'd been distracted lately, isolated. She'd avoided me or lashed out in anger when she did encounter me. I chalked her moodiness up to stress. After all, I'd no idea what went on in the heads of madmen – or mad women. Or did I?
This thought gave me pause over my spice cake. That witch in the mirror… Well, I hadn't seen her lately, so I must be alright.
"Narcissa." It was the Dark Lord's voice.
I looked to him. "Yes?" My sister's eyes burned holes in me.
He wiped his disgusting mouth. "Why don't you attend this evening's meeting? You may be interested in our more recent progressions."
Bella gasped. I bowed my head. "Your lordship. I am honored by the invitation, but I feel a weak witch such as myself is undeserving at a table amidst your avowed followers."
He laughed. I glanced up in surprise. "Weak," he muttered. "I hear otherwise about you, wife of Lucius. I hear…that you may be worth more to me than your husband."
I looked at Bella. Her face was an absolute rictus of resentment, of jealousy. She curled her lip at me. "You flatter me – "
"I flatter no one." His tone was cold, harsh. Inarguable. "I shall send for you this evening. When I do, you will come."
I swallowed, bowed again. "Yes, your lordship."
Bella pushed noisily away from the table. I watched her depart. I was alone with Him.
"Your sister is angry." He held a hand over the arm of his chair. His snake slithered up to it, nuzzled the claw lovingly. "She is impatient, our Bella. She gets ahead of our plans, needs to understand that perfection requires deliberation. I feel you understand that, do you not?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"You do not prostrate yourself, do you Narcissa?"
Honesty. Avoid eye contact. "No. Not easily."
He chuckled. I cringed. "I like that. I like a strong witch. They can be magnificent allies." He sniffed. It was a wet sound. "Or ravishing catastrophes." He rose from his seat, walked behind my chair. The snake followed. He paused at my back. I stared ahead. "I am curious to see what will come of you." They left the room slowly and I breathed again.
I had to time my approach perfectly. The meeting was at nine o' clock. Severus was always punctual within three minutes or so. Our exchange of words had to appear casual in case we were observed. So I lurked in the drawing room, adjacent to the entrance hall. Indeed, I saw him when he entered, and left my shadowed nook as though I was on my way to make a cuppa.
"Severus." I greeted him warmly.
He returned a stiff bow. "Narcissa."
I palmed the potion bottle, and when I took his hands in felicitation, he took the bottle with scarcely a questioning look. "How fares my son?" My eyes gestured to the bottle he was secreting in his frock coat.
"Well enough." He nodded. "And he asks after you. What shall I tell him?"
"That I, too am well. Thank you, Severus."
"Good evening, Narcissa."
We parted. I made for my room, passing my sister on the stairs. Rudely, she brushed against me. "Sister." I attempted an uncertain greeting.
"Hardly a sister of mine," she replied and passed. I watched her back descend the stairs with no further comment.
In my room, I read. The Dark Lord had said He would send for me and perhaps that was true. I didn't prepare for bed, even though tiredness crept through my bones. And I was right to remain alert. Near midnight, Antonin Dolohov knocked at my door. "His lordship requests your presence in the dining hall, Mrs. Malfoy."
Dolohov was ever respectful even if slippery as a bathing salamander. I stepped into the hall. "Thank you, Mr. Dolohov." He nodded curtly and descended the stairs a few steps ahead of me.
My dining hall was transformed. Chairs were pushed to the walls and Death Eaters of all shapes and sizes sat, leaned or bent double upon them. Standing on opposing ends of the table were Bella and Yaxley. Oh gods. They'd been dueling. It explained the injuries, the smell of ozone and the crackle of intense magic in the air.
I tensed, paused in the archway. "The very witch!" Voldemort pointed to me from across the room. "Come here, Narcissa." As I rounded the table, I caught Severus' eyes across the room. They held a warning. The Dark Lord's clawed hand curled around my elbow. "We've spoken this evening of loyalty!" His voice rang clear, echoed. "And I've watched you all duel each other skillfully in my name. I've summoned this witch to be an example to you – an example of loyalty. I believe she is familiar to all here?"
There were nods. Fenrir Greyback growled. "This witch whose house we inhabit this evening is loyal to her husband, Lucius Malfoy. And to their son, Draco. Are you not, Narcissa?"
I nodded. "Yes, your lordship."
He pushed me toward the table. "Down!" He shouted at Bella and Yaxley. They leapt to the floor like guilty pups. Bella stared madly. "The question is: Is the witch loyal where it counts? Is she loyal to me?" He shoved me harder; I caught myself against the table's edge, my belly pressing against it. "Are you loyal to me, Narcissa?"
The fervor, the madness in his tone was undoing. I was truly terrified of this wizard. "I-I am!" I stammered.
His face was close to mine. The sound of his breath sliding desperately through his nose slits sped my heartbeat. "No! I don't believe you!" Spittle hit my face. I resisted wiping it away. "You squander your loyalty and the strength of your blood's magic on a useless husband and a cowardly boy!" Tears welled in my eyes. "Tonight, I show the witch where the true power lies!"
He whirled away from me and addressed his followers. "Who will duel the witch in my name? Who will show her their loyalty and their pride?" There were murmurs from around the room, but no immediate takers. I quaked against the table, closed my eyes and willed my knees to hold me up. They knew me, knew I was no killer, no Death Eater like them. And they knew Bella was my sister – and protective. Although, I hardly felt her protection now. I looked up and saw her grinning at me.
"No one?" The Dark Lord slammed a hand onto the table behind me. I jumped. "A reward then? For besting the lady of the house? Hm?" He stalked around the table, meeting eyes and challenging egos. "What shall it be?"
"I'll duel her!" My stomach churned. I knew it would be Greyback. "I'll beat her, too," the cur growled. "For a night with her all to myself."
The Dark Lord laughed. Laughter surrounded me, in fact, some of it uncertain and some of it mean. I looked again at Bella while I held the bile at the back of my throat. She was one of the many laughing.
"An excellent idea, Fenrir!" Voldemort agreed good-naturedly. "And if there is no other wizard here who considers himself strong enough to take on the witch…"
The laughter settled. I breathed deeply. So I was to battle for my very dignity. I will kill myself before I let that beast take me. My magic surged in my belly – not the angry fire, but the willful wave.
But then, another voice, an unmistakable and convincing one. "If those are to be the stakes…I shall duel the witch."
Severus. I froze. A stunned collective gasp arose. The Dark Lord, incensed, rushed to Snape. "Is this true, Severus? My most trusted?" At that, my eyes couldn't help flashing to Bella. She colored and hardened her sneer at me. So that was the source of her late discord…
But the Dark Lord was speaking again. "Has our ascetic perhaps…coveted his friend's possession?" More laughter. The master settled his minions. "Hush! Hush." He placated. "I love it!" His adoration translated to a keening and evil giggle. He clapped his hands. "Very well! Severus versus the Malfoy witch!" There were mixed groans and shouts of approval. Greyback seethed into a corner to watch. Voldemort gestured to the table. "Up!" He commanded.
I boosted myself onto my dining table in time to see Severus leap nimbly onto the opposite end. Oh hell. At least it's Severus. I would be fine, win or lose. I trusted Severus, too. He wouldn't harm me, but that didn't mean he would be easy on me. The look on his face as he tossed aside his outer robes told me that.
He loosened the top buttons on his frock coat and tugged free his cravat. He nodded to me and drew his wand. Apparently, this was the moment for preparations. Embarrassed, I recalled my wand placement. This frock of satin lacked the supporting sleeves of my frock coat, so I had holstered my wand on my thigh.
With a quickness and what I hoped was a proud chin, I hiked my loose skirt and retrieved it. Wolf whistles and laughter resounded. I looked at Severus almost apologetically. His brow was raised. I nodded.
The Dark Lord, now at room center, faced us and spoke. "Ready?" I twisted in position. It had been some time since I'd formally dueled. Severus, however, was quick and natural. Admirable, really. "Begin!"
For goddess' sake, this man was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. I played my cards conservatively, but the promise of safety and my earlier surge of power emboldened me. I fired off a reducto.
He blocked me, although I noted he rocked on his heels a bit. I was prepared to shield and did so against his relashio. He was out to hurt me, it seemed. Very well. "Flecterum!" I felt the push and the will to break him.
His protego sent my spell back at me and I barely managed to deflect it before he was casting again. "Incendio!"
I smiled as I responded. "Summergeous!" The simple spell doused his fiery projectile with a rain of icy water.
The hiss nearly drowned out his answering "incarcerous," but I intercepted and redirected with a "redire maledictionum." He wasn't expecting the old defensive spell, and nearly tripped on the lashes that swiped at his feet. I took advantage and fired off a "stupefy." But even unsettled, Severus deflected easily. My magic was already wavering.
"Perpellum!" His force was spectacular. It penetrated my shield with ease and I was pushed to the table's surface. Twisting to break my fall, my face slammed into the mahogany surface. Bloody fuck! I tasted blood's metallic bite and heard laughter. I also heard Severus' steps approaching across the table.
Like a wounded animal, I lashed out. "Lupusicatrix!"
The four bright red gashes that appeared across his face were deep and brutal. I scrambled to my feet and prepared to cast again, Slytherin enough to take advantage of a wounded warrior. But this warrior was not wounded enough, and he was close enough to use his physical force to easily end our duel.
His hand snapped from his face to my wrist. I felt his blood smear across my skin as he pulled none too gently. "Severus!" I gasped. My wand was wrenched in the air by his grip. My other hand flew to his wand hand, but I wasn't strong enough to prevent it leveling beneath my chin. The tip prodded into the soft tissue of my neck, and I was strangely struck by the fact we both had wands of ebony…
"Yield," he growled. I smelled his blood. "Yield, witch!" The hand gripping my wrist bent and I yelped in true pain.
"Damn you!" He would break my wrist!
"Yield, Narcissa!" This a lower hiss directly in my ear.
I capitulated, knowing it was for my own good. "I yield."
Shouts and raucous congratulations filled the room. Severus slowly released my wrist, but plucked my wand. I was almost flattered by the gesture… It suggested he feared me.
The Dark Lord again calmed the masses. "I hold your fates in my hands!" He cried out. "Just as I do hers!" He pointed at me. "And should any of you betray me, I will do far worse than put a Death Eater in your bed for the night!" Quieter, he looked up at me. "Remember this, Narcissa. You believe this is your home, but it is mine. All that was your husband's is mine – and that includes you and your son. So show me your loyalty and your modesty, or I will give you to every man in this room. Am I understood?"
I dropped to my knees, shaking with both fear and spent magic. "I understand." I bowed my head til my forehead touched the table. His claw rested on the back of my head.
"Good." His voice raised again. "Well, Severus! Will you take her here for our enjoyment? Or do you have more private plans for the witch?"
Laughter. My sister's screeching cackle stood out above them all. Tears squeezed from my eyes. Goddess, please. Don't let this happen to me. I heard Severus jump to the floor. He approached his master with a bowed head. "With all due respect, my lord. I've waited…a long time for this opportunity. I would prefer to enjoy it alone." He spread his hands. "Unless, of course, it would please my master to watch?"
I whimpered. Voldemort's claw left my head and he chuckled. "You've earned your prize, Severus. Take her away as you will – with my blessing."
"Thank you, my lord." Severus' hand closed around my elbow. He tugged, and I slid off the table. I didn't dare look up. Too many eyes would be taunting me, and my sister's would be the worst. I followed Severus meekly; relieved the ordeal was over, knowing I would be unharmed, but somehow wanting to leave my body just the same.
Safe in my room, I sighed. Rubbed my the chill from my arms. How to thank him for this? First my son, now my dignity. I felt I owed him my very life. I would tell him just that. "Severus." When I turned, he was shrugging out of his frock coat. I tensed, eyes widening. "What…what are you doing?"
He grimaced and gestured to the bed. "What do you think?"
I shook my head. No no no. "You can't be serious."
"And when Bella looks into your mind tomorrow? Or mine? Or worse – the Dark Lord himself? What will you have them see, Narcissa?" He sat methodical at the end of my bed and removed his boots and socks. He performed a quick healing charm on his slashed face, still holding my wand in his left hand. "Us sharing a game of wizard's chess? Swapping anecdotes of Draco's boyhood antics?"
I cringed at the mention of my son and wrapped my arms more tightly around myself. "I thought –"
"I know what you thought." He sighed heavily and dropped his head into his hands.
I'd never seen this wizard look defeated or off-put in any way, and I suddenly realized he didn't want to do this, either. "Isn't there some other way?" I sounded so damned naïve.
Severus chuffed ruefully. "Even if we manufactured memories they would never match. And there isn't time." He looked up at me. "I'll obliviate you afterwards, if you wish. It would mean a legilimens would have to delve a bit, but…"
I felt a stone drop in my belly. I didn't relish either option. "No. What about you?"
His face was half hidden by a sheet of lank hair, but I saw a shadowed smirk there. "I've endured far worse…punishments." I blushed and he rose to remove his trousers. I wondered how he could be so casual.
My fingers fiddled at the clasp behind my neck. There were several hooks and eyes. Severus placed our wands side by side on the nightstand. "Let me." His voice was low and near my ear. It was a lovely thing… I turned and surrendered to this inevitability. "I won't hurt you, you know." I nodded. His fingers brushed my hair aside. I felt his rough knuckles rasp against my back as he unhooked my bodice. Draco's skin was so soft.
"Severus." I had to know. "Have you really wanted me? Like you said? Or was that just…" Even the pads of his fingers were rough. He pushed my dress from my shoulders, and when he answered my question, his lips lingered close over my skin.
"I've wondered," he admitted. "I doubt there is a wizard who's seen you who has not imagined what it would be like – " those rough fingers brushed my ribs – "to touch you like this." The fingers barely stroked the sides of my breasts and my breath hitched. "To have one night with you." The hands cupped then palmed my breasts, fingers rolling my nipples gently.
"Oh, gods!" I couldn't control the gasp. He was seducing me. I appreciated the gesture and relented further, leaned into his strength and felt the evidence of his arousal pressing above my arse. "Will you kiss me?" I don't know why I asked, why I wanted, why my voice was so needy to my ears.
"Yes," he said.
I turned, clenched the linen of his shirt in my shaking hands and offered my mouth up. Severus had pretty lips for a man. They felt uncertain on mine, but when I began working his shirt buttons, the kiss intensified til our tongues just touched – the way Draco kissed. I moaned, and the wizard was undone.
He rubbed my frock down over my hips, backed me to my bed, pushed me onto it and crawled over me. We paused to breathe and the flames in the floo played on the planes of his face, lit those black eyes to their deep brown. The ache and emptiness in my gut turned to butterflies. I nodded to him, and he kissed his way down my body.
I closed my eyes and sought solace in his strange, gentle and firm touches, his curious, salacious mouth. I simply…forgot who I was, forgot who he was. Severus? Narcissa? We were just a man and a woman, nameless. No futures. No pasts. I told him to mark me, so that Bella and her master would see. But I doubt he needed my instruction.
I gave him what I felt I owed him and more that night. Just a few hours. Still, it was only once. One bright moment… He couldn't stay, he explained. "Draco…"
I nodded. He was still heavy atop me, heavy in my arms. I released him, and he didn't linger. He dressed as briskly as he'd undressed. I sat up and cradled my knees.
"I'm sorry." His words were solemn. The dimness and warmth caressed them. He was all in black again, buttoned as a priest and yes, severe.
"For saving me from who knows what indignities?" I asked. "For protecting my son and now myself?" I scoffed softly. "It is I who owe you an apology, Severus. And so much more." I hoped the tears didn't show in my eyes.
"I should like to call us even, Narcissa." Far away, his eyes were back to black, but I knew the heat that resided there.
I gave him a shaky smile. "Very well."
A curt nod. "I shall deliver your missive to your son. And rest assured I…shall watch over him. And…"
He cleared his throat. "Good evening." His cloak swirled around him like an ink spill as he quietly left my room.
In retrospect, I have one regret regarding that evening: that it was all I could give to him.
The months following held no tenderness for me. Draco did not write me again. The Dark Lord paced and muttered to himself, hissed to his great snake. He came and went more often; questing, Bella said. Once humbled, I was in her favor again.
She became sympathetic again, attentive and doting. She informed me of things, included me. She told me they were nearly ready – that Draco was nearly done repairing the cabinet – that the time was close. And one night in June, she woke me to tell me she was leaving.
"You'll see, Cissy." She stroked my face. "Draco will make you proud. He'll be home soon a hero! Hailed by us all! And once Dumbledore is dead…the war will be nearly won."
I got up and dressed. It stormed outside the manor. I wrung my hands walking the entrance hall. Thunder preceded the clatter of the doors opening. My heart beat as loudly. I rushed to the archway, a hand over my chest.
Bella's face was the first I saw. "Oh, Cissy!" She cackled. So they were successful. She kissed my cheeks. Thorfinn Rowle, Yaxley and Greyback entered next. Panic collected in my throat. Rain blew in through the wide open doors. The Carrows stumbled inside.
Then I saw my son.
"Draco," I whispered. I was breathless.
He caught my eyes, but barely seemed to see me. He was ashen, ghastly pale. His eyes looked bloodshot. I smelled smoke on them, saw some ash dotting Draco's black suit. The clatter and chatter surrounding me muted. I approached him hesitantly, folded him in my arms. He did not return the embrace.
Oh, gods. He did it. Tears stung my eyes. I tried to hold them back so hard my throat ached. "Son," I said, burying my face in his shoulder. The slam of a door pulled me to my senses. I straightened, held Draco at arms length. Over his shoulder, I saw Severus pull his hand away from the door.
He turned and I saw his face. The black eyes that I knew once held heat now did not. My grief twisted to relief, then back to grief. So Draco was not Dumbledore's murderer, after all. My hands held my son's limp elbows as the Death Eaters took to the stairs, shoving, laughing and celebrating.
For the first time, I felt the wet of Draco's clothes, the chill on my skin. Severus' eyes slid to mine, then away like oil. The chill deepened as he billowed away to the Dark Lord. Our vow had been honored.
The enemy was dead.
AN: Whew. One more chapter. Thanks to BeautifulDisaster, Lady Bella, Cherepaha, DoIHaveTo, Greyella and all who have taken the time to review. Special shanks always to my dragon for all the advice, encouragement and inspiration.
